Changing LE Norms

[TriCircleD]

I found this article on the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office forum and it makes a good read. I thought I would post it here for all my former friends and co-workers down in SW Florida. Stay safe and may the Lord watch over all of you. :)
Bruce Sigler (ret. LCSO 11/2010)



Drift: Shifting our law enforcement norms

Drift may be defined as what occurs when there is a shifting of norms — or standards — over a period of time, causing new norms — or standards — to form



I was in a police department recently to provide applicants for police sergeant a briefing on an upcoming sergeant’s test. While the candidates were entering the room a young officer approached the assistant chief of police — who was in full uniform — and said, “How’s it going Terry?” They shook hands, and talked for a couple of minutes. The Chief and I have known each other for many years, and he could tell that I was a little taken aback. When I asked why he allowed officers to address him by his first name he told me it was a “different era” and that police officers today are very different from than those I served with.

I hear variations along this same theme all the time. Complaints from veteran officers that younger officers “have no sense of pride in being police officers” or “don’t have dedication to the job” or “don’t have a good work ethic” or who “constantly question” why they have to do something the way the sergeant wants it done.

Although I have no way of knowing if any of this is true nationally, I’ve seen enough of this type of behavior here in New England to cause me to give a great deal of thought about whether our profession has moved away from its center. It makes me think a lot about the concept of drift.

Trailing Indicators of Drift
Drift may be defined as what occurs when there is a shifting of norms — or standards — over a period of time, causing new norms — or standards — to form. Drift is often so subtle that its cumulative effects change the core foundations of the original concept(s) on which something is founded.

Here are some indicators of “drift.” Many police departments no longer require officers to wear their uniform hats — a baseball cap seems fine today. I chased a suspect who bailed out of a stolen car, fought with him and placed him in handcuffs. My Sergeant arrived on the scene and rather than commending me for what I thought was a good bust, he asked me where my hat was. I told him it was in my cruiser and he said, “Go get it and put it on your head. I’ll watch your prisoner until you get back.” Silly when you look at this story from today’s standards, but back then it was important to the Sergeant so it was important to me. When we went to baseball hats instead of police caps nothing “bad” seemed to happen. It established a new norm.

So, we drifted.

Police officers that I encounter don’t salute superior officers anymore except on “special occasions.” So, we now address our Sergeants by their first name and I guess with a baseball cap a hand salute has lost its meaning. We drifted.

I attended a roll call briefing the other day and everyone was sitting down in chairs. No one got up and stood at attention when the Sergeant and Lieutenant entered the room — roll call was conducted in a very lax atmosphere. Officers were on their cell phones when their Sergeant was speaking. I guess the day of having people in ranks, “Dress right dress, ready front, attention to roll call,” have drifted away. I asked when inspections for uniforms, firearms, handcuffs, etc. were conducted, and the response I got was “every so often.” We drifted.

I went into the Detective division in a major metropolitan police department the other day to see if I could get some fingerprint powder to use for one of my investigative classes. Everyone was dressed in cargo pants and polo shirts with a little badge type emblem sewn on them. I asked if any detectives were around and was told that everyone there was a Detective. I guess the days of a homicide detective wearing a shirt, tie, and at least a sports jacket have gone the way of wearing real police hats, saluting, and having a structured roll call. We drifted.

Cops today wear black sneakers instead of dress shoes. There were no immediate consequences for not wearing police hats, not saluting, and not using military formations. There were no immediate consequences for not conducting inspections at roll call, or for detectives not appropriately dressing for the position. So, I guess, sneakers are fine. We drifted.

We drifted when the courts threw out height and weight requirements and residency. Although I understand the courts position that neither requirement can be proven to be “job related” we spend a lot of time involved in policing a community in which we do not live and call it “community policing.” I guess the days of police officers being born and raised in the city, going to school there, and walking a beat in the area they live is long gone. We drifted.

With the 20-year retirements with no age limit, we all saw our veteran officers take the money and leave. I’m not judging here — I was one of them! Policing is a craft that can’t be learned from a book. Before the 20-year pensions there was a transfer of tradition, honor, integrity, and craft that occurred between veteran officers and younger ones that isn’t occurring today. The guy who broke me in when I made detective was 72 years old. He was doing homicides when I was in grade school and I learned more from him in a month than I ever learned since. I remember being a patrol captain on the evening shift hoping nothing would happen on the street. I had sergeants with less than five years on the job and patrol officers with even less time. It’s not that the officers wouldn’t step in harms was or try their best. They just didn’t have the experience, so they would arrest anything that moved.

My police pension is very good, but... we drifted... Now we seem to be drifting away from the 20-year-and-out pensions towards the 401K.

We now allow lateral transfer from one department to another. Cities and towns hire people who want to be police officers. After a few years they leave for another city of town that may pay more, have more upward mobility, specialized assignments, or whatever. Officers with more than 20 years are banking their pensions and beginning over in a new department if they’ll take them. We drifted.

We now allow officers to bid their shift by seniority, touting the health benefits of working a steady shift rather than rotating month-to-month. This may mean our experienced officers and supervisors are working steady days or midnights and our inexperienced officer and supervisors are not working from 1800 to 0200, when most heavy crime occurs. We drifted.

In order not to have to bother with civil service testing, we now make up ranks and appoint our favored sons and daughters to positions without competitive testing. In many departments, detective is an “appointment, as is deputy chief, agent, and Assistant Chief of Police. There seem to be a lot of people with scrambled eggs on their hats — if we still wore them — who didn’t earn the rank. We drifted.

I asked an officer the other day what the emblem was he was wearing on his uniform. He said it was for being a member of the “crisis intervention team.” I asked if the pin was approved by the department and was told that they could wear anything they wanted on the uniform and long as it didn’t have a racist, political, or religious connotation. We drifted.

I noticed an officer who had many rows of medals on his uniform and asked him what they were for. “Unit citation, perfect attendance, firearms qualification, accident safety, milestones for drunken driving arrests, letters of commendation.” We drifted.

I attended the funeral for a retired police officer the other day. He had only left the job five years earlier. When I asked where all of his brother and sister officers were I was told they only show up for an officer killed in the line of duty. We drifted.

All of these examples happened over a period of years. That’s the way the concept of drift works. Who is responsible? We are. We let it happen. Is it all negative? I don’t know. I’m sure many officers don’t believe any of this is a big deal. I do know that today’s officer will still step into harm’s way if needed. Maybe I’m very much behind the times and getting too long in the tooth. What do you think? Does any of it matter? I would be interested to know whether or not PoliceOne Members believe we have drifted away from the cornerstones on which we were founded — courage, honor, integrity, our oath of office, and viewing policing as a way of life, as opposed to just a job.





About the author
Dr. Larry F. Jetmore, a retired captain of the Hartford (Conn.) Police Department, has authored five books in the field of criminal justice, including The Path of the Warrior. A former police academy and SWAT team commander, he earned his Ph.D. at Union University in Ohio, plus master’s, bachelors and associate degrees in Connecticut. Jetmore directs the criminal justice program at Middlesex College in Middletown, Conn., and is a full-time faculty member. He is also Director of the National Police Testing Services which creates and administers police examinations. His new book, The Path of the Hunter: Entering and Excelling in the Field of Criminal Investigation, is available from Looseleaf. To learn more or to order, visit the Looseleaf Law online catalog or call (800) 647-5547 Contact Larry Jetmore

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

[TriCircleD]

No offense taken, however I really hope this is not the most stupid article you have ever read. I would have thought worse has been in the NP. Take care, stay safe, and remember to get on your knees and thank the Lord for the blessings in your life!

Proverbs 25:26
"Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. "

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

No offense but your an idiot. You are the perfect example of what this article is about. Your ok with the fact we are not "paramilitary" anymore, and that there is absolutely no respect for anything or anyone. You are the problem. You are what this article is about. How do you expect the public to respect you when you don't respect yourself or your partner. Every job has a supervisory structure, whether it is Asst. Manager, Store Manager, District Manager. You don't work for just some company, you are a COP/Police Officer/ Law Enforcement Officer.

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

No offense but your an idiot. You are the perfect example of what this article is about. Your ok with the fact we are not "paramilitary" anymore, and that there is absolutely no respect for anything or anyone. You are the problem. You are what this article is about. How do you expect the public to respect you when you don't respect yourself or your partner. Every job has a supervisory structure, whether it is Asst. Manager, Store Manager, District Manager. You don't work for just some company, you are a COP/Police Officer/ Law Enforcement Officer.

Sorry to break the news to you, but don't have to be "paramilitary" to have respect for something. Did the employees of Apple salute Steve Jobs or jump to attention when he entered the room? I respect myself and I do my best to excel at my job everyday. I just don't think I have to wear a cowboy hat or salute my sergeant to do so.

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

You are an honest man, you have spoken like a true modern day police officer (used for a lack of a better word). A true 90 day wonder you are, the LCSO is truly in trouble for it is clear that you know very little if anything about the greatest profession in the world.

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

You are an honest man, you have spoken like a true modern day police officer (used for a lack of a better word). A true 90 day wonder you are, the LCSO is truly in trouble for it is clear that you know very little if anything about the greatest profession in the world.

Greatest profession in the world? Your idealism has blinded you.

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

You are an honest man, you have spoken like a true modern day police officer (used for a lack of a better word). A true 90 day wonder you are, the LCSO is truly in trouble for it is clear that you know very little if anything about the greatest profession in the world.

You've certainly selected an appropriate online handle for yourself. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, because if you did you would not post such nonsense. Just to help you, I have over 20 years on the job, I've been involved in 3 police shootings, and worked undercover in a major RICO case. I think I've a little about our profession along the way. What about you? All of your time spent "65-ing" and doing "country time" policing here in Lee County? Maybe someone should write an article about small town cops who think they know everything.

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

You are an honest man, you have spoken like a true modern day police officer (used for a lack of a better word). A true 90 day wonder you are, the LCSO is truly in trouble for it is clear that you know very little if anything about the greatest profession in the world.

You've certainly selected an appropriate online handle for yourself. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, because if you did you would not post such nonsense. Just to help you, I have over 20 years on the job, I've been involved in 3 police shootings, and worked undercover in a major RICO case. I think I've a little about our profession along the way. What about you? All of your time spent "65-ing" and doing "country time" policing here in Lee County? Maybe someone should write an article about small town cops who think they know everything.

Dear guest, I use the handle numbnuts because I learned a long time ago not to take things to seriously, it helps you live longer. Since I see that you first needed to qualify yourself before making your comments, it tells me a little bit about you...a bullshit artist. I also noticed in your remarks that you consider Lee County as "country time" policing and that small town cops know very little about policing. Well, I don't know what part of that is true, if any, but I still respect the small town cops. I also see that you are impressed with yourself for having worked undercover, on a RICO case, and have been involved in 3 shootings. Lets just say you have met your match! I am not a member of the LCSO, I come from one of the highest paid New York police departments in the nation for starters. I spent 20 years on the job, 10 of those years in the NY Field Division of the DEA. I have run more title 3 wiretaps, seized millions through those wiretaps, investigated more drug organizations through RICO and CCE investigations then you will ever imagine. I received 32 departmental commendations and put down 4 bad guys and seized more cocaine and heroin then you could use in a lifetime. In the end, what does all mean? Absolutely nothing, it was my job! All that work won't buy me a tank of gas today. The part I return to is your lack of respect for the "Country Time" cops. From What I have noticed in the past 5 years or so in Lee County, is that these small time country cops still get shot and killed just like any big city cop. In closing, I remain impressed that you worked undercover and did a RICO case!

No offense, but that might be the stupidest article I've ever read. Just an old cranky retiree *****ing about how things were so much better and so much hard in "his day". Baseball caps and boots/sneakers are more functional, that is why we "drifted" to them. We don't salute supervisors or come to attention because it is idiotic and serves no function. This is police work, NOT the military. We aren't even "paramilitary" like some people argue: we are armed and wear uniforms. Other than stealing some of the military's rank, that's where it ends. If I wanted to join the Army, I would have gone to a recruiter. Joining departments with better pay and pensions? Oh, heavens! It's called moving into the modern world. You get used to it, or you retire into obscurity.

You are an honest man, you have spoken like a true modern day police officer (used for a lack of a better word). A true 90 day wonder you are, the LCSO is truly in trouble for it is clear that you know very little if anything about the greatest profession in the world.

You've certainly selected an appropriate online handle for yourself. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, because if you did you would not post such nonsense. Just to help you, I have over 20 years on the job, I've been involved in 3 police shootings, and worked undercover in a major RICO case. I think I've a little about our profession along the way. What about you? All of your time spent "65-ing" and doing "country time" policing here in Lee County? Maybe someone should write an article about small town cops who think they know everything.

Dear guest, I use the handle numbnuts because I learned a long time ago not to take things to seriously, it helps you live longer. Since I see that you first needed to qualify yourself before making your comments, it tells me a little bit about you...a bullshit artist. I also noticed in your remarks that you consider Lee County as "country time" policing and that small town cops know very little about policing. Well, I don't know what part of that is true, if any, but I still respect the small town cops. I also see that you are impressed with yourself for having worked undercover, on a RICO case, and have been involved in 3 shootings. Lets just say you have met your match! I am not a member of the LCSO, I come from one of the highest paid New York police departments in the nation for starters. I spent 20 years on the job, 10 of those years in the NY Field Division of the DEA. I have run more title 3 wiretaps, seized millions through those wiretaps, investigated more drug organizations through RICO and CCE investigations then you will ever imagine. I received 32 departmental commendations and put down 4 bad guys and seized more cocaine and heroin then you could use in a lifetime. In the end, what does all mean? Absolutely nothing, it was my job! All that work won't buy me a tank of gas today. The part I return to is your lack of respect for the "Country Time" cops. From What I have noticed in the past 5 years or so in Lee County, is that these small time country cops still get shot and killed just like any big city cop. In closing, I remain impressed that you worked undercover and did a RICO case!
Just goes to show that y ou always have to bes ure of what you are u p against. I appreciate the work that both of you have done for us citizens. SOunds like one of you two should be sheriff intstead of Scott. Stay safe.

[Linebackerll]

Hats, dress shoes, coats and ties...we've drifted away? More like we evolved to functionality. The Army used to where nonfunctional, extremly uncomfortable, and heavily starched cotton fatigues along with shiny black paratropper boots (just as nonfunctional). They have now worked through several iterations of Battle Dress along with a half a dozen camouflage patterns to fit specific situations. No more shiny black boots are to be seen. I doubt there is a soldier out there who wishes the Army would replace what they wear now with what was worn "back in the day."

We don't wear low quarter dress shoes because we need the protection of boots when running through the bushes. Coats and ties are a relic of colder town police forces. Bravo blazed the trail getting rid of this costume wearing light weight 5-11 pants and breathable polos with boots...until Command noticed and put an end to this sensible idea...probably because it wasn't their idea. Command hasn't wandered through Lehigh crossing canals lately in a coat and tie while investigating a scene.

And hats? What is the fixation with hats? Should we wear those absurd campaign hats at domestic disturbances and during K-9 tracks?

Paramilitary? Police work requires independent operators who can handle a multitude of stressful situations almost always alone. Except for SWAT, we rarely deploy in any kind of military fashion. Many in this profession have never worn a military uniform or commanded in the military but spend a lot of time obsessing about the sacred "chain of command" and get upset when questions get asked by these officers after odd orders are issued. Questions from experienced operators are seen as insubordinate and threatening. This is not a military mission and treating police officers like infantrymen is not useful or approriate.

Drift? No, I think we just get better as the years go by...but never as fast as many of us would like.

...until Command noticed and put an end to this sensible idea...probably because it wasn't their idea. Command hasn't wandered through Lehigh crossing canals lately in a coat and tie while investigating a scene.

On the money! Because they lack management training, our command staff fears subordinates with skills and potential. Unless they are far enough behind to not pose a threat. Good ideas executed without their approval scare them because they fear becoming irrelevant. In the Navy, we were taught to ensure our subordinates could do our jobs as well as there own and that we could do our supervisors job. I think they call that mentorship.



Many in this profession have never worn a military uniform or commanded in the military but spend a lot of time obsessing about the sacred "chain of command" and get upset when questions get asked by these officers after odd orders are issued. Questions from experienced operators are seen as insubordinate and threatening.

In the military, it is ok to question your orders as long as you abide by the final decision once it is made.